Display Patient Information Leaflets

Date issued: May 2025 

For review: May 2027 

Ref: F-74/KA/Medicine/How to Self-Administer Filgrastim Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF)

PDF: How to Self-Administer Filgrastim Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) final May 2025.pdf [pdf] 160KB

This information booklet is to help you, and your family understand how to safely self-administer GCSF. It also covers how to dispose of the waste, potential side-effects and how to contact your relevant department if you have any issues or queries. It will supplement the information given to you by your doctors, nurse specialist and ward nurses.

What is filgrastim? 

Having chemotherapy for cancer can affect your bone marrow, reducing your ability to make new white blood cells. This is called neutropenia and can increase your risk of infection. To help strengthen your immune system, your doctor may prescribe a treatment called Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF), which helps your body to make more white blood cells. The name of the G-CSF prescribed at University Hospitals Plymouth is called filgrastim. 

How do I store filgrastim injections? 

Filgrastim injections must be stored in the fridge between 2°C - 8°C. Keep the syringes in the original packaging in order to protect from light. 

When should I administer filgrastim? 

Administering the filgrastim injections can vary from starting the day after your chemotherapy treatment to starting on day seven. You will be advised by your nurse when to start administering it and how many days to you need to complete. 

How should I administer filgrastim? 

The injection should be given under the skin (subcutaneously) once a day, at about the same time each day:

1.   To minimise any discomfort, leave the syringe you are intending to use for that day out of the fridge for 30 minutes before injecting. 

2.   Wash and dry your hands thoroughly. 

3.   Choose your injection site, this can be either the abdomen or the front of the thigh. 

4.   Remove one syringe from the pack and remove the protective cap from the injection needle. 

5.   Pinch the skin with your thumb and forefinger to form a skin fold.

6.   Insert the needle at a 45° angle into the skin fold with a quick, firm action. 

7.   While keeping your skin pinched, push the plunger down slowly until all the dose has been given.  

8.   Remove the needle whilst maintaining pressure on the plunger, then let go of your skin. 

9.   Let go of the plunger. The needle safety guard will rapidly move to cover the needle. 

10. Place the used syringe into the sharps bin provided. 

What side effects could I experience? 

The common side effects you could experience are mild to moderate bony pain which may require an analgesic like paracetamol. Headache, diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, tiredness and sore mouth can also be experienced.

Contact numbers: 

If you feel unwell or if you have any questions, please contact the numbers below.

• Haematology Patients. If unwell, please call: 01752 202082 and ask for bleep 0228 (Available 24 hours a day)

• Birch Day Case: 01752 432674 (Birch Reception) (For general enquiries Monday to Friday 8:30am to 6:30pm)

• Bracken Ward: 01752 432494 (For advice overnight and weekends)

• Oncology Patients. If unwell, please call: 01752 202082 and ask for bleep 0023 (Available 24 hours a day)

• Fal Day Case: 01752 430290 (Fal Reception) (For general enquiries Monday to Friday 8:30am to 6:30pm)

• Brent Ward: 01752 430043 (For advice overnight and weekends)